Chapter 5   Special Prosecutor Maul

All of Theed was a buzz with the news that Count Dooku's aide had caught Xanatos Crion and his brothers smuggling. They were going to trial, attended by the Emperor himself as soon as a special prosecutor could arrive from Nar Shaddaa. Palpatine wanted the whole planet to watch him break the smuggling ring of the Jedi. He had even given permission for holo cams in the Courtroom.

On the morning of the trial Yaddle had closed down her inn so as not to miss what was said to be the trial of the century. Everyone knew the Jedi would protect his own. He would not let one of his men face an execution squad. 

In truth everyone but Tahl, who was hiding in a concealed room in Yaddle's attic, was in the large chamber they had converted into a courtroom or outside watching the proceedings on large vid screens. If Xanatos was convicted, the Jedi would be next and that would affect everyone on the planet of Naboo.

Those inside the chamber watched the tattooed prosecutor as he paced back and forth in front of the accused before turning to the Emperor and then to Yoda.  Bearing his teeth and grimacing at Xanatos before speaking to the spectators he began to present his case, "The court has heard the evidence against these men," as he waved his hand gesturing to Xanatos Crion and his two little brothers. "They were caught red handed with 50 crates of Alderaan Ale in their possession. Cheating his Immanence of his revenue is what they were doing. They have no defense."

His yellow eyes pinned Xanatos to his seat before he walked over to stand in front of Yoda. "I demand that you make an example of them for all smugglers and their infamous leader. I insist they suffer the full extent of the law. Criminals such as these should face the executioner's squad."

Then Maul walked over and stood beside Count Dooku and continued, "Unless, of course, they divulge the name of their leader here in this court in front of all Naboo."

He paused, "In that event I am commanded to inform you that the Emperor will not ask for the death penalty."

From his place on the witness stand, Xanatos jumped to his feet and shouted, "But I don't know, sir. I tell you … nobody knows."

"But you've seen him and you've spoken to him." Maul insisted as he stormed over to box where Xanatos sat.

"Nobody speaks to him unless they are receiving orders or retrieving goods. Yes, I have seen him …just like everyone else. He's always dressed as the Jedi. He has a mask over his face and a cloak over his head. He could be a woman for all anyone knows," Xanatos replied sarcastically as he took his seat once more.

Maul stalked back and forth, his anger clearly shown by the way he bared his teeth and glared at Xanatos,  "Tell us where you have your meetings and the Emperor will go easy on you."

No one spoke. It was as if the whole world had taken a breath, held it for a moment and then Xanatos jumped to his feet and yelled, "I'm not going to face the death squad for the likes of the Jedi!!"

Instantly the chambers burst out in furious whispers that increased to louder murmurs. The noise became so loud that no one noticed the entrance of a very distraught Master Healer.

Qui-Gon strode forward and stopped once to bow to the tiny Council Member. 

Before Yoda acknowledged Qui-Gon, he rapped the floor with his walking stick and said, "Silent, you will be."

Qui-Gon waved the data pad in his left hand back and forth so everyone in the room could see it, "If I could speak with you Councilor Yoda!"

 "Yes Qui-Gon, speak you may," the diminutive being's ears flattened against his head as he regarded the healer.

"I … I've just come from my office at the infirmary where I found this note. It's a threat Sir, and I don't care for, nor do I have the time to deal with this," Qui-Gon handed the data pad to Yoda and stepped back to allow him read it.

"What this is!!" Yoda exclaimed losing his normal way of speaking. He began to read the document aloud for the entire room to hear. "Says, it does. If speak Qui-Gon does, for the prisoners, answer with his life, he will."

There was uproar in the room. Yoda pounded his walking stick again for silence. Count Dooku rose to his feet and asked, "Who would want to threaten you, Master Jinn? Do you plan to speak for these criminals? And if so, who would know that?"

Qui-Gon rubbed his eyebrow with his finger and looked a little abashed, "Well, Count Dooku, word does get around, I know. And … well I just happened to mention to Mace, he keeps the records, a point of law we had debated a while back. It had some of the same basic fundamentals as this case. I should have remembered that Mace often spends a lot of time at Yaddle's Inn, spreading the news of the day. It's his way of relaxing after work."

There was a ripple of laughter in the crowd.

"What would that point be Jinn," Dooku asked sharply not even trying to hide his irritation at the interruption.

Qui-Gon took a breath as if trying to decide whether he should say what he had in mind. Moments passed and Dooku became even more agitated. Finally Qui-Gon sighed and said, "One, which if you allow me to speak, would certainly save the prisoners from punishment, if I'm proved right."

Prosecutor Maul jumped to his feet, "I object. Emperor Palpatine has made…"

"Speak Master Qui-Gon will," Yoda said interrupting Maul. "Know what the Emperor said, I do. Given to these men, a chance will be."  

Qui-Gon nodded, "Thank you. The truth is, the threat gave me reason to suspect the Crion's had walked into a trap. I wondered____. Why would a man who is rumored to have outsmarted the Emperor's troops …well, would he waste 50 crates of the most expensive Ale in the Galaxy simply to bait a trap at the house by the waterfall? I wonder; were the contents of the crates tested?"

Obi-Wan was amused. Sitting in one of the front seats, he watched first Count Dooku glance at Anakin and then both of them look pointedly at Maul and shake their heads in unison.

Qui-Gon continued his speculation, "If __they indeed contained contraband, then of course the prisoners should stand condemned. But – ah – shouldn't the crates undergo an examination before a sentence is passed. While Xanatos is a man old enough to face execution, his younger brothers are just children."

Yoda's ears perked up for the first time since the beginning of the trial and he closed his opaque eyes before nodding, "Objection the Prosecutor has still?"

"No, of course not," Maul answered smugly having no doubt that there was contraband in the crates. This case was simple and his Master would be pleased when he finally defeated the Jedi.

Yoda gave the order for the seized goods to be examined. Qui-Gon turned to the Count; "I can rely on your troops for protection in the matter of my safety, can't I?"

"Of course," Dooku answered smoothly.

The Councilors, onlookers, and Palpatine's minions did not have long to wait as the last of the cargo was checked and a human officer returned with the results.

The nervous officer held out a cup of the liquid in question to the tiny Councilor. "All of the crates were tested sir. Each of them contained this…" the officer paused seemingly afraid and then continued, "Swamp water."

"SWAMP WATER!!!!" Count Dooku, Anakin, and Maul all shouted at the same time.

Qui-Gon bowed, taking a moment while he was bent over to school his features to express surprise. "Surly there is no law that condemns a Nubian subject for transporting crates of swamp water."

There were only 7 people in the Council chambers who failed to burst into wild laughter, the Emperor, Count Dooku, his aide Anakin Skywalker, the three Crion's, and prosecutor Maul.

As the Emperor stood to leave, Yoda remembered the dignity of his office. He rapped his stick on the floor several times in quick secession. "Dismissed this case is, go free the Crion's can."

In the noisy confusion Count Dooku turned on Maul, "I see your reputation in the court room is nothing but rumors. You are an incompetent, unintelligent, excuse for an officer of the court."

He spun around to find Anakin and started berating his aide as well. "I thought you were a fool Skywalker and now I am sure of it. Taking the action into your own hands! Not consulting me! Get out of my sight Skywalker, before I send you back to your mommy. NOW!"

"Yes sir," Anakin answered stiffly. But it wasn't necessary because Dooku had already shoved him out of the way and stomped angrily from the Courtroom.

Xanatos moved away from the guards and the witness box to stand next to Qui-Gon. "Thank you, Healer Jinn, for what you have done for me …and my brothers."

Qui-Gon glanced down at the younger man with an unsympathetic look. "You escaped the Emperor's law Xanatos, but I fear your Jedi leader won't let you escape him. I doubt you will be safe with any of his men either now that everyone is aware that you are a traitor. If I were you, I would get off Naboo and get as far away as you can."

Xanatos turned leaving the modified chambers and promptly bumped into Count Dooku. "You have gotten off this hook," Dooku bit out, "But you're still on mine, Crion. Remember that!"

Qui-Gon left the chambers with Mace and Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan, I want you to keep an eye Xanatos for me. Start after sunset. I have a feeling that Mister Crion has not completed his betrayal. Mace, you watch Maul."

"And what do you plan to do Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Think," Qui-Gon replied merrily. "I'm going to think my dear Obi-Wan. The Jedi has a lesson he needs to teach Xanatos."

****

Yoda was the only pleased person around the dinner table that night. The Count was not talking to his aide. Anakin was trying to pretend that nothing was wrong. Padmé realized that her dear Anakin was taking the blame for not testing the contents of the crates. But Yoda was just happy that the day's events were over and wanted to forget them as soon as possible.

He would not have been so happy had he known that Obi-Wan, absent from the table, was standing guard at the Crion home.

"Boy, he is. Enjoyment need he does," Yoda said with a smile. "Visiting friends Obi-Wan is."

****

Meanwhile at Yaddle's inn Mace started another conversation with a very undesirable companion. He looked at the tattooed prosecutor and wondered if the ability to tolerate pain was a prerequisite of working for the Emperor.  "You were brought in from the outer rim to try this case weren't you? It must have been a big disappointment for you."

Maul eyed the intruder coldly and growled his response, "What business is it of yours? Who are you anyway?"

"I'm Mace Windu. I keep the archives and issue all official documents. I am Council Member Yoda's right hand man."

"Indeed," Maul said his voice losing none of its earlier contempt. "You seem to have a habit of prying into everyone else's business instead of minding your own."

Instead of getting angry Mace chuckled. If this was going to work Maul had to consider him no threat. "Oh that was good sir. You do have a funny side under all those tattoos. I do seem to know a great many things. I guess it comes from being locked in a room with nothing but data pads all day without anyone to talk to."

Maul glared at Mace and scooted his chair a little farther away from the large black man.

Mace was not bothered in the slightest and in fact amused himself by tormenting the Emperor's prize student by edging closer. "If you want to know anything about anyone here in Theed, I can tell you. I know it all. You see," Mace began softly, "With my job, Sir, I see everything as well as hear it all. And I'm on the side of his Immanence, too. I thought the Count's words to you--- which I just happened to overhear… were …well sir they were unwarranted. It wasn't up to you to check those barrels."

Maul rolled his lip and growled but this time glanced quickly at Mace.

"Well I suppose Special Prosecutor Maul, that you will want to be on your way to Nar Shaddaa, to serve Emperor Palpatine now that this case is over. That is if you have a job to go back to," Mace speculated.

Maul turned to face Mace with a thoughtful look and took a swallow of his ale, "Perhaps not," he replied. You say you're on the side of the law?"

"Naturally," replied Mace.

"Then you know that Our Master's law was circumvented today because of a technicality. One you helped to create."

 Mace sighed dramatically, "That dreadful Xanatos! To think he filled those crates with swamp water. He truly is a villain! Who would have thought he was so clever?"

Count Dooku's parting words, spoken within hearing range of the Emperor, still rang in Maul's ears and he was determined that he would have revenge on both the Jedi and Dooku. It wouldn't hurt to have the town gossip as an ally. "How far does this Xanatos Crion live, Master Mace?"

Mace smiled but not for the reason Maul thought. Qui-Gon's plan was working; all he needed to do was to make sure that Maul made it to Crion's tonight. "Oh, about 20 minutes by speeder sir."

Maul twisted his glass in his hand. "I need a speeder. Can you get me one without the usual gossip?"

Mace managed to appear surprised. "Tonight!  Why tonight, sir?"

The prosecutor scowled narrowing his eyes, "I asked you a question. All that's needed is a yes or no. Can you do it?"

Mace nodded, "Yes, yes I can. But …ah…. a secret mission, right Mr. Maul?"  Mace winked.

Maul only glared back.

"Then I'll meet you at the entrance to the city. It'll take a half an hour to get everything together." And I need to inform Qui that his plan is working. Mace stood up, bowed to Yaddle, and to his many friends, "Good night my friends. After such excitement today, I find myself exhausted."

Everyone waved him a cheerful goodnight.

****

In his hiding place, in the storage unit, time crawled by for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Brushing a huge spider from his back, he peeked through the crack in the wall into the brightly lit small house belonging to Xanatos Crion.

Shortly after sunset, Jocasta Nu was hoisted to the top of a speeder loaded with goods from their house. To Obi-Wan there didn't seem enough room for the woman's small frame and apparently Reeft and Garen agreed so they walked beside the slow moving cart.

Sadly shaking his head, Obi-Wan wished Qui-Gon could have seen the pathetic sight they made traveling down the small dirt road. The boys had revealed no names to the court and it did not appear that they would. Obi-Wan was sure that Qui-Gon in his guise as the healer or as the Jedi would help them make a new start in another location.

"I wonder… why didn't Xanatos go with them?" Obi-Wan asked himself.  He has to know that the Jedi will not let him off as easily as the court did today. Maybe he has something else planned and that's why Qui-Gon wanted me to watch him."

He could hear one speeder coming closer. "It's just a one person vehicle. I wonder who's visiting at this time of night?" Xanatos muttered.

One person dismounted from the bike style speeder and walked to the door. He pounded rapidly and when the door opened, Obi-Wan caught a glimpse of Crion's visitor. It was none other than the tattooed Prosecutor for the Emperor … Maul.

"I was acquitted today so what do you want?" Obi-Wan heard Xanatos ask Maul irritably.

 "To talk with you," was the reply.

Xanatos looked up and down the street before ushering the man in black into his home. As the door shut behind Maul, Obi-Wan started out of his hiding place.

"Obi-Wan," a breathless voice called out softly.

Almost out of breath, Mace stepped from the shadows. "I left my transport back at that abandoned house where I saw yours, "Has Maul gone inside the house yet?"

Obi-Wan regarded Mace thoughtfully and said, "Yes, how did you know he was coming here?"

Only the whites of Mace's eyes and teeth showed in the darkness as the man grinned, "I found him the speeder he used to get here. Then I followed him. Fortunately, I knew where he was going. Where can we hear what their saying?"

"Let's try around back."

They had no trouble seeing or hearing what was going on in the rundown house. A back window was open and there was a full view of Maul and Xanatos.

"We're alone?" Maul asked in a voice that said there had better not be anyone else about the place to overhear his conversation.

Xanatos nodded yes, "The healer, he came. Gave my stepmother money to get them started somewhere else. He told the boys the three of them should go. He said Count Dooku wouldn't be after them!"

"Then why did they leave," Maul asked sharply glaring at Xanatos.

"Qui-Gon said that they should have a new start, Xanatos replied nonchalantly, "It's a   good thing because I'm also getting out of here and now I don't have to worry about being weighed down with excess baggage. I'm leaving as soon as I can arrange everything."

Maul laughed. "You! Where can you run? This Jedi and his followers will be after you. Do you honestly believe they will let you live?" Maul smiled at the fear he could see written on the other man's face. "Your life isn't worth anything after your episode in court today. That is unless I help you…which I won't unless you first help me."

Xanatos lost his fear and angrily snapped back, "You can't touch me now. The law prevents the court from trying me twice for the same crime."

Smiling sardonically Maul replied, "Don't worry. You won't be in court again. You got off because of a trick. Don't try to convince me that you put swamp water in those crates. The Jedi was on to you. So he left you to the mercy of Dooku," Maul paused hoping that Xanatos was listening to him. "You can be sure that this Jedi will not let you give those names to Count Dooku."

Xanatos jumped to his feet and began pacing. "Run from the Jedi! Run from Dooku!" He rubbed the familiar scar on his cheek and then his forehead.

Maul smiled with pleasure. "Stop rubbing your head. I don't care if it is hurting. You tell me something I want to know and I'll give you something you can run with and the Count won't be after you, either."

Xanatos' eyes narrowed, "What exactly are you trying to tell me?"

"The reward money, you fool! Bring me the list of names you were going to give Count Dooku tomorrow night; twenty names …no less. Meet me at this time tomorrow night at the old castle ruins and I'll give you 9,999 more of these," Maul grated as he slammed his hand down on the table leaving a shiny gold coin where his hand had rested moments ago.

Xanatos stared at the coin his greed already overriding his common sense.

"You'll be safe from Count Dooku because you did your duty and helped bring the Jedi to justice. You'll be safe from the Jedi and his band of thieves because the Emperor's troops will protect you and most importantly, you'll have money!"

"And no one will know?" Xanatos asked slowly.

"Nobody!" Maul turned to the door. "Tomorrow night then at the castle ruins. Fail me and you are finished."

Inside the small house, Xanatos Crion stared at the circle of gold.

Outside, Maul mounted his borrowed speeder chuckling, "I'm sure that Count Dooku will want to be the hero of this occasion tomorrow night. I'll go and invite him to be present…but at the old monastery! Then we will see who is the incompetent excuse for an officer.

tbc